Could Medicare really destroy America?
Tea Party favorite Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) says "if you support Medicare the way it is now, you can kiss the United States of America goodbye." Does he have a point?

The video: Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) represents a retiree-heavy district in South Florida, so it's not surprising that in public meetings this week he was asked about his support for a bill that would turn Medicare into a voucher system. West, a Tea Party favorite, didn't shy away with his answer: "I gotta tell you something: If you support Medicare the way it is now, you can kiss the United States of America goodbye." (See video below.) Any truth there?
The reaction: Medicare is immensely popular in his district, so it's curious politics to accuse your constituents of "contributing to the country's downfall," says Travis Waldron in ThinkProgress. But West has his facts wrong, too. The GOP budget he supports does nothing to lower health care costs; it raises them by $34 trillion over 75 years, and shifts that burden to seniors. Letting insurance companies compete for our seniors' health dollars may not poll well, but "like it or not, saving America will require unpopular ideas," says Barry Fagin in The Colorado Springs Gazette. Medicare and Medicaid are "hideous monsters that will destroy everything in their path," and we can't afford to keep them alive. Watch the clip:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The best shows to see at Edinburgh Fringe 2025
The Week Recommends The world's biggest arts festival is back with an incredible line-up
-
Wonsan-Kalma: North Korea's new 'mammoth' beach resort
Under the Radar Pyongyang wants to boost tourism but there won't be many foreign visitors to Kim Jong Un's 'pet project'
-
The 5 best TV reboots of all time
The Week Recommends Finding an entirely new cast to play beloved characters is harder than it looks
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidents
The Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: which party are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?